Sock capable of providing additional protection for an ankle joint

ABSTRACT

A sock includes a sock body with a leg section and a foot section. The leg section has a cuff that defines a foot opening for insertion of a foot of a wearer. The foot section is connected to the leg section, and includes a toe section, a heel section, a sole section, and an instep section. The leg section has a back segment that faces away from the toe section and that is formed with an opening. The sock body is convertible when worn on the foot to an ankle protecting state, in which the leg section is folded down so that the cuff surrounds the foot section between the toe section and the heel section and so that the heel section extends through the opening, such that the leg section is able to provide additional protection for an ankle joint of the foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a sock, more particularly to a sock that is able to provide additional protection for an ankle joint.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many fitness activities, such as running, hiking, soccer, and tennis, put considerable stress on the ankle joint. If these activities are prolonged or intense, the risk of ankle sprains or injuries increases greatly.

To protect the ankle from injury or to protect an injured ankle from further damage, an ankle-protecting product (i.e., the conventional ankle guard) may be used to bind the ankle. The ankle guard additionally has a cushioning function to further protect the ankle by absorbing impact forces.

Since a conventional ankle guard is bound tightly around the ankle, long-term wear results in skin irritation due to heat and moisture that remain trapped against the skin. The ankle guard must therefore be periodically removed to ventilate the skin. Removal is inconvenient since the ankle guard is normally worn under a sock, which must first be removed before the ankle guard can be removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sock capable of providing additional protection for an ankle joint so as to eliminate the need for using an ankle guard.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sock that comprises a sock body, which includes a leg section and a foot section. The leg section has a cuff that defines a foot opening for insertion of a foot of a wearer. The foot section, which is connected to the leg section, includes a toe section, a heel section opposite to the toe section, a sole section extending between the toe section and the heel section, and an instep section extending between the toe section and the heel section.

The leg section has a back segment that faces away from the toe section and that is formed with an opening. The sock body is convertible when worn on the foot from an extended state to an ankle protecting state, in which the leg section is folded down so that the cuff surrounds the foot section between the toe section and the heel section and so that the heel section extends through the opening, such that the leg section is able to provide additional protection for an ankle joint of the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the first preferred embodiment of a sock according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the sock of FIG. 1 when worn on a foot, illustrating an extended state of a sock body of the sock;

FIG. 3 is another schematic side view of the sock of FIG. 1, illustrating an ankle protecting state of the sock body of the sock;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second preferred embodiment of a sock according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the sock of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic side views to illustrate possible modifications of the sock of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a sock according to this invention. The sock comprises a sock body 1, which includes a leg section 15 and a foot section 16. The leg section 15 has a cuff 17 that defines a foot opening for insertion of a foot 2 of a wearer. The foot section 16, which is connected to a lower segment 151 of the leg section 15, includes a toe section 11, a heel section 13 opposite to the toe section 11, a sole section 12 extending between the toe section 11 and the heel section 13, and an instep section 14 extending between the toe section 11 and the heel section 13 and disposed above the sole section 12.

The leg section 15 further has a back segment 152 that faces away from the toe section 11 and that is formed with an opening 18. When worn on the foot 2, the sock body 1 is convertible between an extended state (see FIG. 2) and an ankle protecting state (see FIG. 3). In the extended state, the leg section 15 extends to the calf 3 of the wearer. In the ankle protecting state, the leg section 15 is folded down so that the cuff 17 surrounds the sole section 12 and the instep section 14 of the foot section 16 between the toe section 11 and the heel section 13, and so that the heel section 13 extends through the opening 18. In this state, the leg section 15 provides additional protection for an ankle joint 23 of the foot 2.

Therefore, when ankle protection is not needed, the sock body 1 may be worn on the foot 2 in the extended state by pulling the cuff 17 upward so that the leg section 15 extends to the calf 31. The extended state allows greater ventilation of the skin, thereby avoiding irritation from heat and moisture. In the extended state, the sock body 1 functions as a conventional sock.

Preferably, the sock body 1 includes 59% by weight of cotton, 31% by weight of elastic yarn, 4% by weight of nylon, 3% by weight of noble metal, and 3% by weight of deodorizing fiber. The sole section 12, the instep section 14, and the lower segment 151 of the leg section 15 may be formed of a bulkier knit construction as compared to the other sections of the sock body 1 to be suitable for use when performing fitness activities.

FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a sock according to this invention. The sock comprises a sock body 4, which includes a leg section 45 and a foot section 46. The leg section 45 has a cuff 47 that defines a foot opening for insertion of a foot of a wearer. The foot section 46, which is connected to a lower segment 451 of the leg section 45, includes a toe section 41, a heel section 43, a sole section 42, and an instep section 44. The leg section 45 further has a back segment 452 that faces away from the toe section 41 and that is formed with an opening 48.

The second preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in that the back segment 452 of the leg section 45 is provided with a closure member for closing selectively the opening 48 when the sock 4 is in the extended state. While the closure member is exemplified to include a hook and loop fastener 49, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actual configuration of the closure member should not be limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 6, the closure member is exemplified to include button fasteners 49′. As shown in FIG. 7, the closure member is exemplified to include a zipper 49″.

In summary, the sock according to this invention can function as a conventional sock, yet it is readily adapted to provide protection for an ankle joint.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A sock comprising: a sock body including a leg section having a cuff that defines a foot opening for insertion of a foot of a wearer, and a foot section connected to said leg section and including a toe section, a heel section opposite to said toe section, a sole section extending between said toe section and said heel section, and an instep section extending between said toe section and said heel section; wherein said leg section has a back segment that faces away from said toe section and that is formed with an opening; and wherein said sock body is convertible when worn on the foot from an extended state to an ankle protecting state, in which said leg section is folded down so that said cuff surrounds said foot section between said toe section and said heel section and so that said heel section extends through said opening, such that said leg section is able to provide additional protection for an ankle joint of the foot.
 2. The sock as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a closure member provided on said back segment of said leg section for closing selectively said opening when said sock body is in the extended state.
 3. The sock as claimed in claim 2, wherein said closure member includes a hook and loop fastener.
 4. The sock as claimed in claim 2, wherein said closure member includes a button fastener.
 5. The sock as claimed in claim 2, wherein said closure member includes a zipper. 